17 May 2005

Walking a little at a time into 1 Corinthians.

For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Cor. 1:18)

Okay, I'm moving slowly through this letter. Having said that, we must remember that something very foundational is being said to us through the Apostle as he brings this word to the church in Corith. At the beginning of the letter to the Romans, Paul writes that the "power of God" is the gospel - that story of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. This story is good news because it shows the complete and unending way that God is for us - without hesitation - without waiting for our response - without getting anything right - without being deemed "morally" right. Paul begins and ends his counsel to the Corinthians in the Alpha & Omega of God's movement toward us and for us. Therefore, when we hear the foolishness of God for us - even when we want to resist its universal power and withhold its extravagant love just for those who with us and like us - it is still the power to pull us through the death of the day and it is our foundation for new life. Yes, always fools are we...fools who do not despair at our perishing...fools who are rescued for a life that is as foolish as the love of our God.

Connection: We do not need to stay quiet. We do not need to let this precious gift of life be silenced by those who are afraid of God's unbounded love alive among us. We need only prayerfully encourage one another to continue on with our foolishness and know that it will get us no where...because our end is already within the foolish grasp of our God.

Lord of New Life and Endless Foolishness, you have been for us beyond our ability to be for ourselves. Continue to lead us - continue to hold us - continue to take us through the cross into your promised land that is being unveiled each and every day. Amen.